Could this be the collapse of Red Sox Nation?

To say that the end result of the 2011 Boston Red Sox season was disappointing would be an understatement. The Red Sox, who held a substantial lead in the American League wild card race early in September, could not capitalize on their place in the standings and reach the post season. Red Sox nation is extremely angry and frustrated with the historic collapse they witnessed over the last month of the season. While everyone has an opinion on who is to blame for the Red Sox missing the playoffs, the truth is that they blew their playoff hopes as a team, and there is plenty of blame to go around for everyone in the organization.

Theo Epstein was the architect of the 2011 Red Sox team. The Red Sox had several new additions to their roster this season due to free agent signings in the off season. These moves were made by Epstein, who is now the former Red Sox general manager. Epstein has taken much criticism from the fans and the media over the last month for signing players such as Carl Crawford, who was projected to hit over .300 and drive in over 100 runs, and Bobby Jenks, who had a reputation of being an elite relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. Both Crawford and Jenks were signed to extremely high-paying contracts. Crawford, who was supposed to be a key addition to the Red Sox lineup and be outstanding in the outfield, failed to live up to expectations. He only hit 11 home runs, 56 RBIs, and an average of well under .300. Jenks was even more ineffective this season, with an earned run average of 6.32. He had difficulty getting through innings in key moments of games. While Epstein deserves some of the blame for the collapse by not diagnosing the team's needs properly, he can not be blamed solely. It was the players and managers who failed to produce on the field and in the dugout.

Terry Francona has recently stepped down as manager of the Boston Red Sox. It is unclear exactly why Francona will not be returning next season, but it appears that it was a mutual decision between Terry and the organization. During the final days of the collapse, Francona made several controversial decisions in the lineup and during the games. For example, Francona decided to start rookie catcher Ryan Lavarnway in the last game of the season against the Baltimore Orioles instead of playing a veteran catcher like Jason Varitek or Jarrod Saltalamacchia. This was a must-win game for the Sox, as they were tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the wild card going into the game. Lavarnway socked two home runs after his only other start this season, but he was unfamiliar with the pitching staff, which is crucial in a must-win game. This decision proved to be an unsuccessful one for Francona. Things fell apart as closer Jonathon Papelbon came into the game in the ninth inning. It seemed that Papelbon and Lavarnway were not comfortable with one another, and the Orioles took advantage by coming back to win the game in the ninth inning. Both the players and managers failed to deliver in clutch situations at the end of the season. The way the Red Sox lost the wild card lead was truly heartbreaking.

The future of the Red Sox organization is now in a state of great uncertainty. Terry Francona, who was the manager for eight seasons and won two World Series with the club, is now gone. Theo Epstein, who was the general manager for nearly a decade and is credited as the driving force behind the breaking the eighty-six year World Series drought, has reportedly shown strong interest in taking a new position as the new general manager of the Chicago Cubs. While two very important figures in the Red Sox organization will not be returning for the 2012 season, there is still great hope for Red Sox nation. The team retains many of its core leaders like Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Gonzales. 2011 was also an injury-plagued year for the Red Sox, and promising young pitcher Clay Bucholz was incactive for a majority of the season. If the Red Sox can stay healthy and find a confident manager and general manager in the off season, they will be considered to be a favorite for the World Series in 2012.